Animal Hero Awards nominations are open!

We’re looking for the Animal Hero of the Year, Young Animal Enthusiast of the Year, Public Service Animal of the Year and other unsung heroes of the human and animal world!

The Animal Hero Awards is now in its second year and is a joint partnership between us and the Mirror newspaper. The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the most inspiring examples of bravery, dedication and resilience in the animal world.

We want to hear your heart-warming and inspiring stories. If you know someone or an animal that deserves to be recognised then nominate them for an Animal Hero Award!

Bravery, courage and compassion

David Canavan of the RSPCA said:

“We are delighted the Animal Hero Awards celebrates the bond between people and animals. The RSPCA was formed 190 years ago, and throughout that time we have been inspired by incredible stories of bravery, courage and compassion between animals and humans.

“Despite the shocking things we see on a day-to-day basis, the RSPCA firmly believes that we are a nation of animal lovers, and now is the perfect time to recognise and celebrate this.”

The two special RSPCA awards we’ll be handing out are:

Hero Animal of the Year

For an animal that has shown outstanding courage in a time of crisis.

Last year’s Animal Hero of the Year was Ellie the greyhound, a ten-year-old former racing dog from the West Midlands who spent years living in a concrete kennel with little food or bedding. She now spends weekends fundraising for Greyhound Rescue West of England and helps foster dogs adjust to their lives post-rescue. She can even sense when an older dog is at the end of their life and cuddles them during their final hours.

RSPCA Superstar of the Year

An award for an RSPCA employee or volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution in 2014.